This is going to be a problem for the Masters, which is still five weeks away.

The USA National Phenology Network says spring has arrived up to three weeks early in parts of the southeast, and according to one horticulturalist, that will mean fans won't see the Masters' famous azaleas during the tournament.

"They're not going to have any color for the Masters," Tom Rapp told Golf Digest.

The Masters usually gets lucky and almost always has the azaleas in bloom for the tournament. They have been so lucky in fact, that some believe the groundskeepers go to unusual lengths to make sure the flowers bloom at the right time each spring.

Boyette spoke with a local horticulturalist in 2012, who pointed out several big holes in the theory, not the least of which are that ice has a habit of melting when it is warm and that the golf course is really big and has a lot of azalea plants.

Still, sometimes people need to actually see evidence to the contrary. They might get it this year.

47PHOTOS

A look back at the 2016 Masters

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A look back at the 2016 Masters

Apr 8, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Ian Poulter hits out of a bunker on the 2nd hole during the second round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 8, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Bubba Watson hits out of a bunker on the 2nd hole during the second round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 8, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Bernhard Langer hits out of a bunker on the 2nd hole during the second round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 7, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Rory McIlroy waves to the crowd after an eagle putt on the 13th green during the first round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 7, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Jason Day hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 8, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Kiradech Aphibarnrat holds up his golf ball after putting on the 2nd hole during the second round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 7, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Smylie Kaufman hits out of a bunker on the 10th hole during the first round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 08: Danny Lee of New Zealand stands on the second fairway during the second round of the 2016 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2016 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 08: Charl Schwartzel of South Africa plays his shot from the second tee during the second round of the 2016 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2016 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 08: Hunter Mahan of the United States plays his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the 2016 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2016 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Apr 8, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Tom Watson reacts after missing a long putt on the 18th green during the second round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 8, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Paul Casey hits out of a bunker on the 2nd hole during the second round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 8, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Rory McIlroy after making a putt on the 2nd green during the second round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 8, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Rory McIlroy lines up a putt on the 2nd green during the second round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 8, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; General view of Martin Kaymer , Bill Haas and Rory McIlroy on the 2nd green during the second round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 10, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Jordan Spieth waves to the crowd after making a putt on the 1st green during the final round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 10, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Hideki Matsuyama waves to the crowd after a birdie putt on the 2nd green during the final round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 10, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Rory McIlroy waves to the crowd after putting on the 7th green during the final round of the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports